Health and Fitness Expo

Marathon Running and Walking Divisions

26.2 Miles

The Cleveland Marathon features a relatively flat and fast course, great volunteer support and a scenic view of downtown Cleveland and its major landmarks. The course has been designed for our athletes to enjoy views of Lake Erie and many other Cleveland highlights.

All Marathon runners/walkers will receive a Virtual Race Bag, a technical short-sleeved T-shirt, and a finishers medallion with a spinning guitar. The top three male and female finishers in each age group will receive an award that will be mailed post-race.

Marathon Walkers

In order to compete in the walking division, you will be expected to walk the entire distance; completion of the course is on the honor system. The overall top 5 male and females will receive an award that will be mailed post-race. If you win an award and did not walk the entire route, you will be expected to inform the race officials in order to move you into marathon running division.

Course Time Limit

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon route is secured by City officials who are obligated to maintain traffic flow and re-open street closures within a reasonable and set time frame on race day. The full marathon course will be open for 7 hours beginning at 7:00 a.m.

All full marathon participants, both runners and walkers, must reach various checkpoints along the route in order to maintain the proper pace to ensure completing within the 7-hour course time limit. Please note that the 7-hour time limit is based upon clock time, not chip time. Participants must maintain the scheduled time/pace per mile at various locations. If you cannot maintain the time, our recovery vehicle will pick you up and shuttle you to the finish line. Should you wish to continue, you will be directed to move to the sidewalk for the duration of the route for safety purposes as the roads will be re-opened to traffic. Please remember that water stations and course security will not be available once the streets re-open to traffic. In addition, the finish line area may be in the process of being disassembled when you arrive.